Improvement in apparatus for navigating the air



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Apparatus for Navigating the Air. N0 147 252. PatentedFeb.i0,i874w WiTN55z5= 4/111 1 INVENTDE- W ma: Q, W

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO FRANCIS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR NAVIGATING THE AIR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,252, dated February 10, 1674; application filed September 3, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it it known that I, OTTO FRANCIS, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Navigating the Air; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus as arranged for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the body or hull of the same upon a line extending fore and aft. Fig.3 is a transverse section, showing the arrangement of the driving mechanism; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the after part of the hull, showing the arrangement of the steering mechanism.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

- The design of my invention is to enable the air to be navigated with the same facility as is now afforded by vessels plying upon the water; and, to this end, it consists in the construction and combination of lifting, propelling, and guiding mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawing, A represents the body, and B the deck, of the hull of my apparatus, which hull has substantially the same form as would be required for use in water. \Vithin the hull thus constructed are placed a number of pear-shaped casings or receptacles,@ and G, for containing the gas required for raising and sustaining the weight of the apparatus and its load, which receptacles are, preferably, constructed of or from fibrous material, and are secured in place in any substantial manner. A pipe, D, extending from the bow of the vessel rearward along its keel, is connected, by means of vertical branches d, with the lower end of each casing C, and enables gas to be supplied from without to the latter. At their upper ends each of said casings O is provided with a discharge-opening c, which is closed by a valve, 0, and the operation of the latter is controlled by means of a cord, 0, that extends rearward to some convenient point. At the lower side of the interior of the hull are arranged a number of water-tanks, E E, for supplying ballast to the apparatus, each of which tanks is provided with a suitable discharge-opening, c, that is controlled by a valve, 0, so as to enable ballast to be discharged as occasion may require. Oords c extend from the valves 6 to a suitable point near the stern of the apparatus, so as to permit the operation of said valves to be easily controlled by the person in charge.

The apparatus described is propelled, in part, by a system of sails, F F, which are arranged and operated in the usual man'- ner, and in part by fan-wheels G G that are attached to or upon the projecting ends of two shafts, and, by means of suitable operative mechanism, are caused to revolve in vertical planes having a line corresponding to that of the keel.

The course of the apparatus is controlled, in part, by the sails named, but principally by means of a rudder, H, which, preferably, has the form shown in Fi 1, and is hinged or pivoted to the stern of the hull in such a manner as to permit of its being operated by means of ordinary mechanism.

Additional means for controlling and as sisting the operation of the apparatus are furnished by canvas wings I, that are secured upon suitable metal frames, which extend outward and downward from the .sides of the hull. A portion of the wing upon each side is so arranged as to be capable of moving downward upon suitable guides until its lower edge is upon a line with the keel, as seen in Fig. 3, in which posi tion said wing, in connection with the wing upon the opposite side, furnishes a bearing for the hull, and prevents it from tilting to either side when resting upon the surface of the ground.

The apparatus is now complete, and, it is believed, furnishes a means whereby the air can be easily and safely navigated.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, What I claim as new 1s The hereinbefore-deseribed apparatus for navigating the air, consisting of the body or hull A B, gasreceptacles O and C, ballasttanks E and E, sails F and F, propelling wheels G and G, rudder H, and wings I and I, said parts being constructed and combined to operate in the manner and for the purpose substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of August, 1873.

OTTO FRANCIS.

\Vitnesses:

- PETER TIBALD,

CARL NIENHARDT. 

